Move FM Global News

PANAMA CITY, Panama: Officials from the Panama Canal authority have announced that they will postpone depth restrictions after much-needed rain provided relief to the largest ships crossing the canal.

Originally scheduled to go into effect from Sunday (25th June) to 9th July, the restrictions would have required ships to float at higher depths, therefore, either carrying less cargo or shedding more weight.

Panama’s weather service said that after a months-long drought, rains are forecasted to produce between 70 mm (2.76 in) and 80 mm (3.15 in) of precipitation into the canal basin over the next 72 hours.

The canal authority added that large cargo ships can continue to sail at the previous depth limit of 44.0 feet (13.41 m).

The authority did not specify when the measures will end, but said it would continue to monitor water levels and “announce future draft adjustments in a timely manner.”

Since the start of 2023, a drought, which was caused by the El Nino weather phenomenon and placed pressure on water supplies, forced the canal authority to implement several sets of depth restrictions.